In the lower school, COMPASS offers an educational therapeutic setting for children with emotional and other disabilities. Small class sizes and access to consistent clinical support allow children to grow academically, behaviorally, and emotionally. COMPASS follows the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and individualizes academic learning to meet the varying needs of students.

COMPASS SCHOOL OVERVIEW

The students served by COMPASS have experienced difficulties in varying degrees.

Most have low self-esteem, learning disabilities, emotional problems, behavioral disorders, mental health issues, limited impulse control and may be experiencing medical problems. Additionally, they often live in a world of violence, substance abuse, and poverty. These difficulties are manifest in a range of behaviors: they may have a hard time making and keeping friends, may distrust adults, attend school haphazardly or drink alcohol and/or take drugs.

Factors contributing to these behaviors are relatively easy to identify. The absence of strong, positive authority figures at home, a history of neglect or abuse, and poor health care are recurring themes, resistant to easy solution. Indeed, this complex of factors makes educational and employment opportunities difficult for our students. There is usually no basis for study habits or encouragement of academic work; vocational opportunities are rarely appreciated or explored. Students often work below grade level, have difficulty attending to a task, and often have undiagnosed special education needs. There is no single "solution" to this complex set of problems our students face. COMPASS recognizes that each individual student needs and deserves unique treatment.

COMPASS stresses a team approach in our daily work with students.

As members of the therapeutic milieu, we share responsibility working toward the same goals for our students. Though individual staff members may be specialist within a component of the milieu, (ie. Educational, Behavioral or Clinical) we recognize that, in order to be successful, close and frequent interactions between all team members is necessary.

COMPASS’ hallmark is a team approach, utilizing staff from many disciplines. Communication, listening to each other and planning together are essential components of the work that supports the success of the students/clients we serve.